Leadership
WACA is overseen by a member-nominated and elected Board of Trustees (board members, trustees). Board members are elected to two-year terms. Per our bylaws, the board is comprised of three retail license-holders, three producer/processors, a licensed lab, associate member representative and a Founder Emeritus.
WACA's board is a working board, volunteering their time, insight and resources in service to the association and the sector at large. Individual board members are responsible for leading four working committees comprised of WACA members: Finance, Nominations/Membership, Bylaws, and Events/Community Relations. In addition to overseeing the general business of the association, board members serve at the policy direction of WACA members.
Amber Vaughn
Transporter Representative
Amber Vaughn is the driving force behind Terpene Transit, serving as its President. Her career is rooted in a lifelong exposure to the challenges and resilience of small business ownership, stemming from her family's construction business. After witnessing firsthand her family's strategic pivots to navigate and survive the real estate crash, Amber gained invaluable insights into operational efficiency and adaptability.
When Washington State legalized cannabis, a new chapter began. Amber initially stepped away from her own education to help her now-husband, Michael, establish and optimize his new Cannabis Producer Processor business. For two years, she was instrumental in building the operational structure in this nascent industry.
Following this, Amber took a brief period to assess her next move. That move came when Michael launched Terpene Transit. Amber quickly stepped in to revitalize the struggling cannabis transportation company. Under her leadership over the last seven years, Terpene Transit has undergone a massive transformation, growing from a single Nissan Transit van and three employees to a robust fleet of over 30 cargo vans and box trucks, and a team of more than 90 dedicated employees.
Four years ago, Amber expanded her commitment to the cannabis sector by joining the Washington Cannabusiness Association (WACA) Board of Directors. This association's mission—to foster a professional, safe, and viable cannabis industry in Washington State—has profoundly reinvigorated her passion and optimism. Through WACA, Amber has gained a clear perspective on how Washington's cannabis industry has the opportunity to grow and evolve through thoughtful, consistent engagement.
Her work with WACA has created an essential opportunity for an open rapport and dialogue with legislators and regulators alike. Amber leverages her firsthand experience as a business owner to contribute to shaping policies that support industry longevity, operational excellence, and responsible expansion, ensuring Terpene Transit remains a leader in a dynamic and ever-improving market.
Jordan Zager
Board of Trustees - Producer/Processor
Jordan Zager, PhD is a renowned figure in the cannabis industry and a visionary in plant genetics and breeding. As the CEO of Dewey Cannabis Co., Dr. Zager leads a dedicated team focused on advancing cannabis science through meticulous genetic research and innovative cultivation practices. His work, particularly in the realm of developing powdery mildew resistant cannabis varieties, has set new standards in the industry. With a robust academic background and extensive experience in commercialization, Dr. Zager brings a wealth of knowledge to the Washington CannaBusiness Association board of directors. His expertise in genetic research and commitment to sustainable practices are instrumental in shaping the future of cannabis cultivation and production in Washington state. Under his leadership, Dewey continues to push the boundaries of cannabis science, making significant contributions to the industry’s growth and sustainability. Dr. Zager’s role on the board underscores his commitment to fostering a regulated, safe, and innovative cannabis market.
Elizabeth Winters
Associate Member Representative
Elizabeth Winters has more than 35 years of experience in banking and financial services and has been with Salal Credit Union since 2012. As the first employee in Salal’s Business Services department, she helped build and scale the credit union’s business banking and treasury management programs. Elizabeth is a recognized leader in cannabis banking and cash logistics. She played a key role in establishing Salal Credit Union’s cannabis banking program and developing compliant solutions for highly regulated, cash-intensive businesses. She currently serves as Treasury Management Sales & Operations Manager.
Rachel Bean
Retail Representative
Rachel Bean joined the cannabis industry in 2014 as a licensed producer/processor, becoming one of the first twelve producers in the state of Washington. After several years working as a producer in Washington’s 502 market, Rachel and her husband, James Bean, co-founded Craft Cannabis. Craft Cannabis is a retail cannabis chain with locations in Vancouver, Tacoma, and Wenatchee focused on delivering a thoughtful, customer-first retail experience. Rachel continues to play a key role in shaping Craft Cannabis’s vision, combining her early industry experience with a deep understanding of marketing, operations, and community engagement.
Scott Atkison
Retail Representative
BIO COMING SOON
Brie Dyson
Retail Representative
BIO COMING SOON
Ian Eisenberg
Retail Representative
Ian Eisenberg, President of Uncle Ike’s Pot Shops, is a Seattle businessman with a rich history of startups. Past companies include USNetwork Inc a licensed long distance carrier, Blue Frog Media, a wireless entertainment firm and Zevia, an all natural soda company. Eisenebrg has been an active participant in Washington I502 cannabis industry since its inception in 2013.
Ryan Hamlin
Associate Member Representative
Ryan Hamlin has over 34 years of software development and management experience. He currently is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of POSaBIT (www.posabit.com), a leading Point of Sale and Payments company for the Cannabis industry. POSaBIT is a publicly traded company on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE:PBIT). Prior to POSaBIT, he founded PlaceFull, an online booking and eMarketing platform. PlaceFull was recently sold to Retail Management Hero, a point-of-sale provider for small businesses. From 1995 to 2010 he was an executive at Microsoft, managing 1,000+ person teams and over $500 million in revenue, and from 1990 to 1994 he was a senior systems analyst at Andersen Consulting. He has also served on several start-up and larger non-profit boards. Mr. Hamlin has a B.A. and B.S., Business & Computer Science, from Pacific Lutheran University.
Andy Brassington
Board of Trustees Member Emeritus
With over 30 years of hands on experience with business ownership and operations, finance, and legal, Andy’s diverse professional background is a valuable resource for WACA. As the cannabis industry tackles a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues, Andy brings a seasoned perspective on the complexities of the nascent industry that will help shape and strengthen WACA initiatives.
Andy’s business and entrepreneurial achievements represent success in traditional industries, trade associations and today, in cannabis. Andy is President of Evergreen Herbal, which has been twice recognized as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Private Companies by the Puget Sound Business Journal. Prior to establishing Evergreen Herbal, Andy was acknowledged for his business acumen and leadership. He is a three-time Governor-appointed delegate to trade missions to China (twice) and Mexico, and Andy’s pre-cannabis companies have been on the INC 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies List. Andy attended law school at Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and the University of Puget Sound Law School in Tacoma, Washington. He passed the Washington State Bar Exam in 1988 and served for 12 years as a member of the Law Clerk Board of the Washington State Bar Association, including as Chair.
Andy’s personal interests are as wide-ranging as his businesses. He enjoys travel, ski racing, rowing crew, running, and spending time with his family.
his wife, two daughters, son in law and grandson.